MOT Disaster!

[merlin's S4]

If you only just failed the emissions test, get a bottle of Forte Gas treatment and run it for a few miles before taking the car back for the MOT. It'll pass then no trouble!

[Fat Audi 80]

I don't really understand it.

The last two years my CATS have given me 0.23 and 0.26 on the CO emissions and today it was 0.37

I will do as you say before the next one though, and make sure I have given it a damn good thrashing before too!

[Sonic]

It makes a huge difference - make sure they're practically see through and she'll make it through

[Laurel]

Wow, I would have never expected this from you Steve!

Hoping mine doesn't have too many issues, really just need time to change the spark plugs and sort out what I'm sure are the LF caliper pins making contact, then she's in! Sounds so easy doesn't it... might take me a while to get time to look at it. Started the car for the first time today and drove it out of the garage. And then back in again when I'd got the mower out

[Ross]

Oops that was my post - forgot to use Firefox which is MY browser

[Fat Audi 80]

You let Laura drive the car in AND out of the garage?

at the wrong user!

[ericd]

I warned you, that car is gonna rot away one winter in that garage of yours, tell me you've not got one of those condensation chambers, sorry car covers over it in the garage, get it outside in the weather and get some dirt on it to protect the underside, also hard to believe the subframe has went "bad" in a year with no previous advisory or mentions, especially considering the environment and mileage that your car experiences

I was gonna quote the proverbial about polishing but even I couldn't bring myself to do it (I'm thinking it though !)

[Beetie]

You let Laura drive the car in AND out of the garage?

at the wrong user!

And fix it by the sound of it! lol!

[Fat Audi 80]

I warned you, that car is gonna rot away one winter in that garage of yours, tell me you've not got one of those condensation chambers, sorry car covers over it in the garage, get it outside in the weather and get some dirt on it to protect the underside, also hard to believe the subframe has went "bad" in a year with no previous advisory or mentions, especially considering the environment and mileage that your car experiences

I was gonna quote the proverbial about polishing but even I couldn't bring myself to do it (I'm thinking it though !)

Hi Eric,

It had advisories for "surface corrosion" for both front and back on the MOT last year. It does surprise me it has gone that bad in a year, considering it is dry stored and hardly ever sees the wet anymore. (It was also dry stored by the previous owner for at least two years possibly more.... (So that's 6 years dry storage or more)!

No I don't have a car cover, it sits in a well ventilated garage, it is not like the garage is sealed allowing the atmosphere to remain damp.

I have still yet to investigate under the car yet, but my gut feeling now, is that my MOTester is being over cautious, and some carful use of a very good rust removing product I know and a coat of hammerite *could* see it okay. We will wait and see. There is no doubt the fuel line is leaking I saw it and smelt it for myself.

I will report back when I been under it and taken some pictures..

Cheers

Steve.

[S2central.net]

Steve... don't waste a drop of time on Hammerite... Get POR15 chassis paint from F.A.R.T

Remove the subframe, get it cleaned, welded if necessary and painted - will be good as new.

As for the CATs - old age has probably done for them, but a 40 mile tootle doesn't get them working right - a darn good thrashing is what they need to get some proper heat in there.

[Fat Audi 80]

Cheers Paul, I think the sub frame will probably be done as you say. POR15 was the stuff I was thinking of.

Yes, the 40 mile trip was a bit of a pottle to be honest. Then the car sat for 15 minutes before the test, then it idled on the ramps...

I will ask him if he can do it first after I have arrived with them scorching. My MOTester was less worried about this aspect anyway...

Thanks for the advice.

Steve.

[stevieyid]

Does the subframe completely come off when the mounts are changed? Im changing the mounts and now worried my subframe maybe wrotten so i might aswell get it painted up.

[Kieron20V]

Steve, you will need to remove the subframe completely to change the bushes as they are pressed in, read corroded in. Easiest way is to burn the rubber bits out, then press of bash them out with a suitable sized socket / pipe etc. All good fun.

Kieron.

[Fat Audi 80]

Hi chaps, I finally had a chance to inspect the car tonight:

It is good and bad news. The MOTester was probably correct to fail the subframe. However, it is a little frustrating as the only reason for the fail would have been the "small" hole on the offside upper section. (see photo's) I have wire brushed and hammered the rest of the frame, and despite is looking a little rusty it is solid as a rock.

My plan is to use some Bilt Hamber deox on it to turn the rust back to metal and then "fill" the hole with chemical metal before painting the frame with a suitable black paint. I am hoping to do this in situ.

Take a look at the pics and tell me if you think I am mad or insane? It seems a shame to pull it all apart for the sake of a small hole bearing in mind the car drives really well and does not require any other jobs doing down there this year....

[AndyP]

Thats not my idea of a 'small' hole, and filling it with chemical metal isn't going to do it any good at all. If that were mine I'd be taking it off, shot blasting it and then checking it again. Plate and weld over any holes then re-paint with POR15. Bofore covering the hole I'd even take the oppourtunity to fill the void with Waxoil or something similar, if that holes been there a while the inside could be starting to rust too.